Tooth Pain Home Remedies

By Heritage Dental - Katy

Unexpected tooth pain should always be addressed by a dentist. It could mean you have advanced tooth decay or a serious infection! But we know you can’t always get there instantly. In the meantime, we want to help you stay comfortable until your emergency appointment. Here are our tips to quell tooth pain at home.

1. Ice Pack

It may sound like too simple of a solution, but a cold compress really does work. If you have an ice pack, wrap it up in a cloth and apply it to the area that hurts in 20-minute increments. You can do the same with a bag of frozen veggies, a frozen water bottle, or a baggie of ice cubes. Not only will the ice help numb the pain, but it should also ease any swelling.

2. OTC Pain Medications

Take an over-the-counter pain reliever like ibuprofen or acetaminophen with a full glass of water and food. By using as directed, you should get some much needed relief from the pain and discomfort you’ve been feeling. For your safety, never take a friend’s prescription pain medication!

3. Salty Rinse

A solution of warm, salty water can be a great help if you have any kind of sore or wound in the mouth. Swish gently and the mixture will soothe the pain and help cleanse the affected area.

4. Oral Anesthetic Gel

A pain-relieving ointment–often in the form of a gel–formulated specifically for the mouth is a good thing to have around in case of sudden tooth pain. It can be used to address instances of minor tooth and gum pain, although it’s not a long-term solution.

Tooth Pain Relief at Heritage Dental

As we said at the outset, tooth pain should never be ignored. Pain indicates something is wrong that needs treatment. So if you’re dealing with pain and/or discomfort in your mouth, we’re here to help. We’ll have you into our Katy dental office as soon as possible so our expert team can examine your mouth, address the issue, and get you pain-free! Call us today.